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Shotgun

Flintlock fowling piece of the type carried by farm hands in colonial Perth in the 1820s and 1830s, made by Elwell of London and Birmingham, National Museum of Australia. Photo: George Serras. Inset photo: Kipley Nink.

This flintlock fowling piece (shotgun) was made by Elwell of London and Birmingham in the late 1820s. It is 1300mm long and is in excellent condition for its age. It is a typical example of a firearm carried by civilians in Australia in the 1830s, and is therefore likely to be the type that would have been used by William Keates to kill Yagan in 1833. Although Yagan trusted the Keates brothers, they were desperate to return to England and there was a large reward on Yagan's head. William was speared in retaliation and died, but James later claimed the reward and returned to England.

Cloak

A kangaroo cloak made for the special occasion of Yagan's return. The cloak was used to wrap and protect the box which carried Yagan's remains home to Perth in 1997. This cloak is significant because of its role in Yagan's repatriation.

Front view of the booka, with fur on the inside, showing the painted designs using the colours red, yellow, white and black.

Cloak

A Kangaroo cloak made for the special occasion of Yagan's return. The cloak was used to wrap and protect the box which carried Yagan's remains home to Perth in 1997. This cloak is significant because of its role in Yagan's repatriation.

Back view of the booka, with zigzag pattern probably representing Yagan's initiation scar.

Cloak (detail)

A kangaroo cloak made for the special occasion of Yagan's return. The cloak was used to wrap and protect the box which carried Yagan's remains home to Perth in 1997. This cloak is significant because of its role in Yagan's repatriation.

Close-up of the stitching on the booka. The Noongar cloaks, made from kangaroo pelts, are made of two to three kangaroo skins sewn together. Unlike in south-east Australia, where people make cloaks from a number of possum skins, there is less stitching involved in making a booka because of the materials used.

Cloak (detail)

A kangaroo cloak made for the special occasion of Yagan's return. The cloak was used to wrap and protect the box which carried Yagan's remains home to Perth in 1997. This cloak is significant because of its role in Yagan's repatriation.

Close-up of the wooden clasp used to hold the sides of the booka together. Bookas are worn in a way that leaves one arm free and disencumbered, therefore this clasp might normally be worn slightly off-centre.

Walking stick

Walking stick about 1980, on loan from Ken Colbung. Photo: George Serras.

Drawing on the woodworking skills necessary in the manufacture of traditional weapons and implements, carved walking sticks have become significant objects in the lives of community elders. This walking stick belongs to Ken Colbung and was given to Ken at a ceremonial event in the 1980s.